Pro-Trump demonstrators took part in a protest for “Michiganders Against Excessive Quarantine” at the Michigan State Capitol in Lansing, Michigan on Wednesday, April 15.
The protesters are upset with Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s draconian measures that include a stay-at-home order and no travel between residences to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
Hundreds protested on foot while many more protested in their cars in what they call “Operation Gridlock.”
As of Saturday, residents are prohibited from visiting friends and family and they must stay in their homes 24-hours-a-day except to go grocery shopping or to visit their doctor.
Only essential items can be sold in grocery stores or big box stores like Home Depot or Lowes in Michigan. Many employees have been furloughed as a result of the loss in foot traffic.
Demonstrators referred to Whitmer as a “dictator,” and they criticized her heavy handed restrictions across the state.
Activists say Whitmer is doing the most to impress presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden so he will pick her as his VP.
A petition to impeach Whitmer drew over 100,000 signatures online.
Despite the protests, Whitmer defended her aggressive stance.
“Not one of us wants to go through this again, not in a month, not in the fall,” Whitmer told ABC News.
“I want you to have your freedom. I want to have mine, too. We will get to a place where we can be with our friends and family again. It’s OK to be frustrated, it’s OK to be angry. If it makes you feel better to direct it at me, that’s OK, too. I’ve got thick skin … I just ask that those who are protesting these orders, do so in a safe manner so that you don’t get sick and you don’t subject our first responders to risk either.”
